THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

Chartered as a Land-Grant institution by the first regular
session of the State Legislature on February 15, 1869, the University
opened its doors to 20 collegiate students and 110 preparatory
school pupils on September 7, 1871. Lincoln was then a raw prairie
village of about 2,400 people.

University Hall, the original four-story building, stood on
this site. Its lumber was hauled by wagon from Nebraska City;
its brick made locally. It was finally razed in October, 1948.

Despite financial crises and ideological disputes, the University
survived its early years and in 1886 inaugurated the first program
of graduate instruction west of the Mississippi. Recognized for
its high scholastic standards, the University was accorded membership
in the Association of American Universities in 1908.

As a major institution of higher education, the University
performed a key role in the early development of the State and
continues now as a prime source of further Nebraska progress.

Historical Land Mark Council
University of Nebraska Campus, Lincoln
Lancaster County
Marker 72